Feb/Mar 08 Cycle Buddies

[jen8675309]

Hi Girls ~

Very excited about the Giants!!!! Hopefully they can hold off the Pats....

Hopefully AF comes soon, Kate. That wait probably feels like the 2WW!! I am very excited as I just started BCP last Friday and have my training on the meds this coming Friday. Yes, I am one of the ER/ET mid March girls. Hopefully we can ALL be BFP!!!

[itsgottawork]

Hi Everyone!
It looks like there's a lot of newcomers since my last post. Welcome to all!
Jen8675309 - Your id cracks me up. I am going to have that song in my head just by typing it up. You and I are very similar. We are male factor and I have 3 brothers I haven't told either. I am debating telling one but the others I think will definitely be kept in the dark.
The similarities end with you rooting for the Giants. I was definitely rooting for the Pats last night. What a game that was! Ugh!

RunnerKate - Good luck with AF. I am a runner but not too serious about it. I have done marathons but typically take a camera with me along the way and enjoy taking pictures and having fun watching the crowd instead of running the race. When we started TTC, my original gyn said that running would be fine for me, I'd just have to take it a little easy. I don't trust her too much though and will be switching to a new one once we get a BFP. My RE said that moderate exercise was better. He explained that heat is the real threat and they want to make sure our bodies don't become overheated so the heartrate should really be monitored. I have never monitored my heart when running but I know when I use the elliptical and some other machines, mine really goes up so I am not sure what I am going to do when I am pregnant. Did your RE say anything about exercising while you are taking stims? My dr said at that time I might want to cut back because the enlarged ovaries could cause some discomfort.

JustJenis - Good luck with AF to you too! I have never gone to an injections class. My pharmacy (village pharmacy) has instructional videos online. They are really helpful and watching them last time really helped. I haven't done Menopor until this cycle so I am not sure what it entails. I'll try to find the link when I am at home. Maybe it will be helpful for you if you are injecting before your class.

Things here are okay. We were back in the ER on Friday. They called my husband back in do run more tests. After looking at the x-ray again, they found he actually has double pneumonia and another minor infection. They say his results are pretty unusual for a guy his age so they got an infectious disease doctor involved as well. We were there for 4 hours Friday and then found out that the guy who was supposed to run a particular test in the lab went home for the weekend so we won't know until today if he has anything else. Right now we are hoping it is just double pneumonia. We will be meeting with the infectious disease doctor again today. I guess one good thing about going through IVF is we took all those tests to make sure we were healthy then. The ER docs were happy to know the results of those tests to rule out some of the more scary things they were considering.
I told my RE that DH had pneumonia and he said we should still proceed with the cycle. I am very happy about that. He also said that my husband should go ahead and try to get a sample frozen tomorrow as planned. I think we are going to hold off on that as I rather he get a little more rest. Instead of going tomorrow and next Tuesday, he is going next Tuesday and the one after that. The nurse agreed that that would still leave plenty of time to then have a good sample on retrieval day so I am happy with this plan. As long as DH gets better soon. He is feeling much better than last week so I think it is promising. I go in this Friday for bw and hopefully start Lupron on Saturday. We are soon to be on our way.

Good luck to all!

[IrishHope]

Wow busy board over the weekend! I don't get on much Sat/Sun...

little bit down due to the Patriots loss...we surely did not play a very good game...

started Lupron shots Saturday - not bad at all. DH gives them to me as I'm fine getting a shot but am not ready to play nurse just yet...I am hoping AF comes Thurs/Friday...then we start the real stuff!! My clinic doesn't have an injection "training" at all - we got all our stuff and are on our own...luckily the Lupron is easy so we take it day to day.

Does everyone get a mock transfer? that hasn't been mentioned to me either?? I did have a "sounding" with my RE which is to measure the length of my uterus so they know where to "drop" the embies I guess...on transfer day...

Saturday night was rough...found out a girl who I like as much as a root canal but is mutual friends w/ my husband is expecting #2...just hit me hard and Sunday I had a meltdown...very edgy/angry and then cried my eyes out...I think I really need to protect myself and just decline social stuff this month...I seem to be fine if I don't hear about so and so or am not asked questions about when we're having a baby...so I guess my house will be super clean this month b/c that did it - I'm becoming a recluse except for those who know about our cycle...

Welcome to all the new ladies on the board! The abbreviations take a little getting used to but you'll catch on fast!!

have a good day all...

[itsgottawork]

IrishHope - The "sounding"you refer to is what they did for me last cycle and called it a "mock transfer." My RE said that the measurement and location of the uterus is all they need for the mock transfer. Since I had it done last time, I don't even need one this time. It sounds like you are all set. Congrats on starting the Lupron!
Take the time you need and be a recluse when you need to be. It is definitely tough hearing when others are expecting and the meds don't help with our reactions. Venting here can definitely help!

[IrishHope]

RunnerKate - ggeeeez you must be nuts waiting for AF!! She will come...hopefully today so you can move ahead...AF for me is due anywhere from Thur - Sat - hoping no later as that will make me insane...

Kbat - hope all works out w/ DH new job/insurance etc. looks like from your post the cycle will be a shorter one which is positive! Hang in there...

[jen8675309]

Hello all my IVF buddies!

Hope everyone is doing well today!

Itsgottawork ~ Hopefully your DH is feeling better. Has he been off work through all of his sickness? Let us know what they say today about his results. Praying for health!

Runnerkate ~ AF here yet? Hope she arrives soon for you, that wait is unbearable I'm sure.

Irishhope ~ Hope you are having a good day today and have recovered from your emotional weekend. I completely understand where you are coming from. My nephew's wife just had their 2nd child and they didn't plan either one and it makes me want to vomit!! I know I shouldn't feel that way, but I just can't help it!

I have seen many girls on this board who are using Lupron before AF. I don't think I am going to take Lupron (atleast it has not been mentioned). Is that normal? I am participating in a Follistim AQ study, maybe that has something to do with it? As you can see, I am not very familiar with the meds!

Take care everyone and enjoy the day.

Baby dust and positive thoughts!!!

[RunnerKate]

jen8675309: I have no idea why you aren't on Lupron...are you doing a natural cycle? All I know about Lupron is that it is supposed to keep you from ovulating so that they can time the egg release "just right." Hmmm. Now that I think about it, why didn't they do Lupron on the IUI cycle? Maybe it matters more with IVF?

Anyone smart about this stuff?

AF is STILL not here. My husband and I even had a long conversation with her last night and told her that while she's used to coming and going as she pleases, we would really like her to come at our request. She and I are very similar in our independence. Um....I think we have lost our slight hold on reality. Levity is important.

So, here's my mantra for the rest of the IVF process: Joy is still possible.

I think I went through a period when I didn't think that laughter or fun could still happen, but I have come out of the shadows. I also like to tell myself that regardless of what happens, we will find a way to have a family. Donor sperm, adoption, foster care. We will be a family. I

IrishHope, that's what gets me through experiences like your weekend....and all these crazy people getting "knocked up" without even trying (um, Tori Spelling is pregnant AGAIN). We all, all of us on this board, will have a family. Somehow.

[cathann]

Hi all! Geesh, I REALLY need to start checking in on the weekends, I miss SO much great conversation! First, I must say GO GIANTS!! I'm not a huge pro football fan, but generally dislike the Patriots from my youth. I thought it was an interesting game though.

We are securing our financing, etc. and I have my suppression check tomorrow. Hopefully everything will be hunky on the b/w so that we can start our shots (Lupron on Thursday and then adding stims on Sunday). I never thought I'd be excited about the prospect of giving myself 4 injections per day!

itsgottawork ~ how's the hubby? I sure hope he gets to feeling better soon.

runnerkate ~ I'm supposed to start Lupron this Thursday. My nurse told me that I may or may not start AF, but she didn't say anything about her absence delaying anything. I guess we are on different protocols? Best wishes to you....may that little bugger show up soon!

Welcome to all of the other new gals. Great to have you all here!! Baby dust to everyone!!!

Cathann

[indie_rad]

RunnerKate - your protocol sounds similar to mine. I started lupron only last thursday so still have several days to AF. My IVF coordinator did mention that I should expect AF as usual but didn't say anything about AF effecting all the other dates.

[kimbers312]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering... is there a specific amount of time that you take the lupron or is it based on the ultrasound results or each ind. person??? Also where do most of you shoot- in the stomach or in the leg??? I am going to give the smaller shots to myself being that DH leaves for work at 4:30 am and arrives home after 7:00 pm.

Itsgottawork- I hope your DH is feeling better ASAP

Also in regards to working out/exercise. I was told to stop after my first consult. RE said that the heat causes a problem for the dev. of the eggs. I stopped working out the first day I started the bcp. I was thrilled but of course DH was disappointed we own a gym!!!

Baby dust to all

[JustJenis]

Hi Everyone!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I was just wondering.. I've been on the estrogen 2mg twice a day for about 4 days now... and i'm VERY bloated. To the point if I eat.. i feel like it's going to come out my eyes LOL! I am able to have AF any day.. and I'm wondering if it's just a combination?? I've never been this bloated before.

Thanks guys!

[itsgottawork]

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for the well wishes for my husband. The infectious disease doctor yesterday thinks it is just the pneumonia. She called it both walking pneumonia and double. Yikes! She said he most likely caught it from his boss who has been dealing with it since Christmas and from working with kids. So, that was promising. She took some bloodwork and later in the afternoon, we went to his primary care doctor who said everything looked good except his liver enzymes. (The first doc said they were more than likely elevated due to his illness). But, this doc wants him to have an ultrasound of the liver on Friday to make sure it is nothing else. I am not too worried because I trust the first doc more but his comments made my husband nervous. I will be happy when the weekend is here and we know for sure what is going on.

kimbers312 - My protocol is to be on lupron for 10 days. But, I think it varies by person. They will check me in 10 days and see if it is good to start stims (and I'll have to have AF by then too). I think everyone is different and they just have guidelines.
Last time I alternated the Lupron injections in my thighs and stomach. I think my right leg was easiest for me to get the right angle. Once the stims started though, I was doing Lupron in the stomach and reserving the stims for the legs. I am taking an extra stim this time so I suspect I will do Lupron in the stomach and one stim in the one leg in the morning and then the other stim in the other leg in the evening.
Yeesh, it is my second time and still overwhelming to think about them all. I have to keep reminding myself they aren't that bad.

Baby dust (and AF if appropriate) to all!

[RunnerKate]

STILL NO FREAKING PERIOD?!!!! WHERE IS SHE?

Day 13 of Lupron shots and NO period. Argh. Needless to say, I am going crazy to get my period. I hate that I don't get regular periods. 26 days last month. 33 days the month before that. Why couldn't this month be a month that she came early? I was the crazy lady that called the dr. to ask why I haven't gotten my period yet. I hope they call back soon and tell me its OK and that this cycle isn't whack.

itsgottawork: as for the elevated liver enzymes, I had them when I was really really sick with some stomach bug in August (I couldn't eat for about a week). They had me get the liver ultrasound and said I had an enlarged/"fatty" liver. The doctor said I should cut back on my fat intake....ummm....I probably have WAY less than the recommended amount for my calorie intake (~60+ grams of fat), but whatever. My liver enzyme levels went back to normal about 2 months after being sick, so this could be nothing other than a symptom of his pneumonia.

[LB]

Good morning everyone!

Jenis - I have been on estrogen for 28 days (as well as prometrium for 10) and have put on so much weight - granted, I have been in a slump and haven't been working out or watching my diet like before, but some of this extra weight is definitely from all of these pills so I feel you! Today is my last day and then I wait for AF and start my stims - meds all come this Thursday.

I am not on Lupron at all, but this is because I don't ovulate naturally - I went off bcp last January to start "trying" - and since then I haven't gotten AF unless induced. I was basically told that even if I don't want children I would have to probably go back on bcp because women need 4 periods a year or they are at a risk for uterine cancer - if it's not one thing it's another!

I am from Lancaster PA originally and we have some PA Dutch traditions - my mom called me this morning and reminded me it is Fastnacht Day - Fat Tuesday for most but in PA you need to eat a donut (or Fastnacht) today for good luck (basically, before lent and fasting people would use up all the lard and sugar in the house and make donuts with them - fastnact means "fast night"). We had no heat all weekend and had to replace our furnace, plus with a new cylce coming up, my mom figured we could use all the good luck we can get!! I just thought I would pass that along to everyone - plus it's an excuse to eat a donut and not feel bad!

[IrishHope]

RunnerKate - AF will show! so annoying though when we don't wnat her she appears when we need her to hurry it up she takes her freakin' sweet a**** time...

Day 4 of Lupron today...we are already nervous we are going to run out...the bottle is so tiny...? anyone else feel that way? Hopefully AF comes and I start stimming so we drop down to 5 iu's of Lupron vs. 10

Kimbers312 - I do my shots in the stomach...so far just Lupron but when I start the Gonal F (2x a day) all 3 will be in the stomach per my nurse...not too excited about those days but I figure it's 10 -12 days so I can sux it up!

itsgottawork - hubby hopefully is going to kick this pnuemonia thing to the curb soon!!!

I am already way more emotional/weepy than I thought I'd be...kind of surprised since I am not normally a big crier but I guess the Lupron is already kicking in...a friend at work's dad is having open heart this morning and right when I saw her I starting balling b/c I know how scared she is for her Dad...